Looms



Feb. 10, 1970 'J/AMENGUAL ET L I 3,

LOOMS Filed Jan. 5, 1968 v 4 She ets-Sheet 1 Feb. 10, 1970 J. AMENGUALET AL 3,494,384

LOOMS Filed Jan. 5, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 10, 1970 AMENGUAL ET AL3,494,384

LOOMS Filed Jan. 5, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 10, 1970 J- AMENGUAL ETAL3,494,384

LOOMS Filed Jan. 5, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent int. 01.D03d 47/00, 45/10 US. Cl. 139-125 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aweft control apparatus is provided for a loom of the type having a weftsupply reel at each side of the frame and a gripping shuttle passingfrom side to side through the lay comprising a detector coil which ismounted at the center of the lay and connected to an amplifying circuit.An impulse is generated in the coil at each passage of the grippingshuttle by magnetic plates on the shuttle and operates the cuttermechanism and the brake mechanism for the weft supply reel. Means arealso provided for applying tension to be inserted weft at the instant ofbeat up.

This invention relates to improvements in looms of the type employing apirnless shuttle or a gripping shuttle.

In looms of this type employing a pirnless shuttle or gripping shuttle,the transverse movements of the shuttle from side to side of the loomlay the weft in the shed from two stationary supply reels. In theseknown looms the shuttle comprises a gripper and a cutter the release ofwhich is carried out, for example, by means of adjustable pressureboxes. This arrangement contains several disadvantages such as thecomplicated construction of the shuttle and the fact that the shuttletends to be diverted by shocks to which it is subjected each time itpasses a boss. Further experience has shown that if the weft is cut by amobile cutter carried by the shuttle the cutting is effected inrelatively different places between one weft and the next which givesrise to the appearance of more or less irregular fringes at the edges ofthe selvedge of the cloth.

The main object of the present invention is to avoid theseinconveniences in a loom of the type referred to by providing a grippingshuttle which is not subjected to any shock during picking and whichensures that the operation is carried out smoothly in high speed looms.

The loom according to the invention comprises at least 0 two weft supplyreels mounted at the sides of the frame and a pirnless shuttle orgripping shuttle picking transversely of the lay characterized in thatthe shuttle is provided adjacent each end with an internal lip and atleast one plate of a ferro-magnetic material capable of generating,during its passage across a detector coil positioned at the center ofthe lay, an impulse which is amplified electronically for actuating acutter arranged vertically between the warp yarns adjacent each selvedgefor cutting the weft which the said shuttle has laid in the form of aloop passing over the leading lip of the shuttle and a brake whichprevents further withdrawal of weft from the supply reel while theshuttle draws the trailing end of the weft into the shed to form asingle pick.

This arrangement allows for automatic re-enery of alternate ends of theweft into the shed to form a solid selvedge. The feed eyelets more withthe lay during its oscillatory movement so that each weft is drawnrearwardly at the end of the pick i.e. at the moment of beat up toensure that the weft is under controlled tension to avoid irregularitiesor other faults which occur in certain cloths of this type.

3,494,384 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 ice The invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIGS. 1 to 7 are diagrammatic plan views showing the successive phasesof an operational cycle of a loom in acocrance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the shuttle;

FIG. 9 is a plan of same showing the upper face;

FIG. 10 is a plan of same from below;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively sections on lines XI-XI and XIIXII,FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a part side View showing the left hand cutting mechanismready to cut a weft yarn about to be laid in the already open shed;

FIG. 14 is a similar view showing the cutting mecha nism hidden at themoment of beat up of the lay;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of FIG. 13 showing the arrangement of the cuttingmechanism at the moment of cutting the weft yarn;

FIG. 16 is a side view showing a brake for the Weft yarn in the openposition;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation;

FIG. 18 corresponds to FIG. 16 after the brake has operated;

FIG. 19 shows the brake about to be re-set on the return stroke of thelay;

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic circuit diagram showing the arrangement forreleasing the brakes and the cutting mechanism by the shuttle;

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic plan of a modification of the invention inwhich the shuttle causes the impulse for the release of the cuttingmechanism and the brakes by the interception of a beam of light whichenergises a photo-electric cell mounted on the lay.

The loom according to the invention comprises a frame, not shown, ofknown construction in which a lay 1, having a plurality of reeds 1thereon is given an oscillated beat up movement in known manner. Thearrangement also includes a picking mechanism, also well known, whichprojects a shuttle through successive sheds alternatively in oppositedirections.

The gripping shuttle 2 according to the invention is characterized inthat its upper face is recessed from end to end to provide alongitudinal groove 3 into which are lowered, at the required time,eyelets 4 and 5 through which the weft passes at either side of theloom. A slot 6 is formed in the upper face of the weft inserter 2 to extend laterally of the groove 3. A metal member 7, mounted in the slot 6,is formed at each end with projecting lips 8 and 9 with the lateral edge10 of member 7 flush with the corresponding side of the groove 3, Belowthe lip 9 a cylindrical guide 11 is mounted which operates as a threadguide over which the yarn slides while being retained by the lip 9. Aguide 12 is similarly arranged below the lip 8.

To facilitate the engagement of the weft alternatively under one orother of the lips 8 and 9 a lateral recess is provided opposite each ofthem on the side of the shuttle giving access to the upper face thereof.These recesses are designated 13 for the lip 8 and 14 for the lip 9.

Two magnetic metal plates 15 and 16 are provided on the base of theshuttle. In the form shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 the plates 15 and 16 aremounted in a fixed position on the body of the shuttle 2 flush with thelower surface 17 of the base. Alternatively, means may be provided forvarying the distance between the plates 15, 16. Further these latter maybe completely enclosed in the body of the shuttle 2 without beingdirectly visible on the lower face 17 of the base. Finally, the ends ofthe shuttle may be pointed and terminate in noses 18 and 19, preferablyof metal.

It will be appreciated that the shuttle 2 is a very simple memberwithout any moving parts. It may be in a very flat form so that the timeof its passage through the shed corresponds to a much larger angle ofrotation of the crank shaft than for known looms.

The successive phases of the operation of the loom for the traverse ofthe shuttle 2 from right to left, according to the invention, are shownin FIGS. 1 to 7. Near the selvedge of the cloth 21), already woven, aretwo concealed cutters 21 and 22, the mounting of which is hereinafterdescribed. These cutters follow the movement of the lay 1 and when inthe operative position (FIGS. 3 to 6) are positioned vertically betweenthe warp yarns as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 for the cutter 21. Each cutter21 and 22 is employed for cutting the weft yarn laid by the shuttle 2and its operation is caused by the passage of one of the plates 15 or 16across a detector 23 arranged in a central position on the lay 1. Thisdetector 23 is arranged in an electric circuit which will be more fullydescribed with reference to FIG. 20.

At the right hand side of the loom a weft supply 24 provides the yarn 25which passes over a brake 26 before passing through the feed eyelet 5.

Similarly on the left hand side of the 100m a weft supply 27 providesthe yarn 28 which passes over a brake 29 before passing through the feedeyelet 4. The mounting of the brakes, 26 and 29 is shown in detail inFIGS. 16 to 19 and the brakes are released by the passage of the shuttle2 across the detector 23.

The electric circuit is designed to operate only the cutter 22 and thebrake 26 when the shuttle 2 travels from right to left as shown in FIGS.1 to 7 and only the cutter 21 and brake 29 when the shuttle 2 travels inthe reverse direction as will be described later.

The operation is as follows:

The lay 1' in FIG. 1 is shown in the beat up position, i.e. the reeds 1are in contact with the fell of the cloth 20. The two cutters 21 and 22are inoperative while the feeders 4 and are in the forwardnon-presenting position. The shuttle 2 is in the box at the right handside of the loom.

In FIG. 2 the lay 1' has moved to the rear most position for the startof picking and the left hand cutter 21 remains in its inoperativeposition due to a locking means (not shown) while the right hand cutter22 has entered the shed. The left hand feeder 4 remains in the forwardnon-presenting position where it is held by a spring (not shown). Theright hand feeder 5 is temporarily held by the lay during its rearwardmovement, its locking to the lay 1' having been effected during thepreceding beat up. The right hand feeder 5 thus presents the weft yarn25 in front of the lip 8 of the shuttle.

As the shuttle 2 is moved to the left in the direction of the arrow 30as shown in FIG. 3, the weft yarn 25 is engaged by the lip 8 and theeyelet 5 is engaged in the longitudinal groove 3.

The shuttle 2 passes into the shed (FIG. 4) and draws in the weft 25 inthe form of a loop of U shape, the top of which slides over the guide 12of the lip 8. This brings the trailing end 25a of the yarn 25 which isattached to the fell of the cloth 20 at the right hand side into theshed for engagement by the cutter 22. This latter is open at this timewhile the brake 26 at the right hand side remains inoperative to allowthe yarn 25 to be fully withdrawn from the supply reel 24.

As soon as the shuttle 2 passes the detector 23 the resultant pulseactuates the cutter 22 and applies the brake 26. The trailing end 2511is cut while the brake 26 is applied to prevent further delivery fromthe supply reel 24. In following this course the shuttle 2 draws intothe shed the loop of weft 25 (FIG. 5) to finally lay a single weft (FIG.6) when the said shuttle 2 passes the selvedge at the left hand side ofthe cloth.

The shuttle 2 then enters the left hand shuttle box and the lay 1' againbeats up (FIG. 7) and lays the weft 25 which has just been inserted.This beat up by the reeds on the lay 1 is accompanied in its movement bythe feeder 5 in the direction of arrow 31 to diagonally move the weftbetween the brake, which remains engaged, and the feeder 5 (FIG. 7).This results in a slight tension being exerted on the weft 25 in thedirection shown by the arrow 32 which straightens the weft 25 throughoutits length at the exact moment of beat up. Any formation of faults suchas waves or irregularities which might be formed in the cloth if theweft remained slack, if it were left in the form shown in the shed FIG.6, are avoided.

After this cycle a new cycle re-commences from the lefthand side of theloom while the shuttle 2 travels to the right. The left hand cutter 21is shown in FIGS. 13 to 15. This cutter comprises a metal plate 33 whichlies in a vertical plane when the shed is open (FIGS. 13 to 15). Thisplate 33 is mounted on a rod 34 which extends parallel with the spindle41 of the loom. The end of the rod 34 which is arranged outside the lefthand selvedge of the cloth 20 is aifixed to a support 35 which iscarried on arm shaft 36 arranged parallel to the rod 34. This arm shaft36 arranged parallel tot he rod 34. This arm shaft 36 rotates freely ina stationary support 37 arranged on the side of the loom in order toretain in position the stationary casing 38 of a temple 39. This lattercomprises well known teeth or dents arranged helically to consolidatethe edge of the cloth 20. The edge engages on the upper part of thetemple 39 below a stationary guide 40. The casing 38 carries the spindle41 of the temple 39.

The rotary arm 36 is mounted in alignment with the spindle 41 of thetemple. The free end of the arm 36 is formed with a lug 42 in whichengages one end of a torsion spring 43. The opposite end of the springis anchored to the stationary support 37. In the example described ahelical spring 43 is employed. The unit is so mounted that the twistingcouple exercised by the spring 43 about the arm 36 tends to resilientlyurge the unit 33, 34, 35 in the direction of the arrow 44 in FIG. 13until the support 35 engages against a stop (not shown) which locatesthe lower part of the plate 33 vertically between the warp yarns 45which form the shed. In this position the plate 33 is situated betweenthe temple 39 and the lay 1'.

However when the lay beats up by pivoting in the direction of the arrow'46 (FIG. 14) it moves into contact with the support 35 which pivotsinto a horizontal position about the arm shaft 36 in the direction ofthe arrow 47. The plate 33 thus pivots above the temple 39 and thecutter 21 is raised (FIG. 14) to allow the lay 1' to beat up. The plate33 is formed with a curved guide surface 48 (FIG. 13) of V shape inprofile, in which a weft 28 is engaged when the shuttle 2 enters theshed when travelling from left to right. A bevelled blade 49 is providedwhich slides vertically from top to bottom in a rectangular slot 50formed in the plate 33. Due to the tension on the weft 28 during thefirst portion of the movement of the shuttle the said yarn 28 rests incontact with the bottom of the guide 48 so that at the moment when theblade 49 is lowered an instantaneous cutting of the yarn 28 will occur.

The control of the blade 49 is effected by a picking band 51 the freeend of which engages an aperture in the upper end of the blade 49 whilstits other end is affixed to a leaf spring 52 affixed to the support 35.This spring 52 is preferably of steel and the central portion forms amobile armature capable of being attracted by an electro magnet 53carried in any known manner (not shown) by the support 35 and/ or therod 34.

A projection 54 is provided on the back of the lower part of theoscillating support 35 (FIG. 14) for contact by a movable abutment 55 toretain the cutter 21 in the inoperative position when this is requiredin the cycle of the loom. The arrangement for moving abutment 55 is notshown since this is not critical to the present inven tion. Furthermore,both cutters could be allowed to move into and out of operative positionbetween the waip yarns in synchronization with the movement of the lay.

The right hand brake 26 is shown in FIGS. 16 to 19 and acts on a weftyarn 25 coming from the right hand supply reel 24.

This brake comprises a stationary shoe 56 of arcuate shape over whichpasses a metal band 57 such as a steel band. One end of the band 57 isafiixed to a stationary support formed by a stirrup 58. The other end ofthe brake band 57 is engaged by a crank pin 59 of a crank 60 which iscapable of oscillating on a stationary support 61 of the shoe 56. Thecrank 60 is actuated by a torsion spring 62 which tends continuously toswing in the direction of the arrow 63 (FIG. 18) i.e. in the directionof the plane of the lay 1. When the crank 60 is submitted solely to theaction of the spring 62, the brake 26 is applied and the yarn 25 isgripped between the shoe 56 and the band 57.

The lay 1' operates a movable rod 64 which pushes the crank 60 in thereverse direction as shown in FIG. 19 at the moment of beat-up. Thisreleases the brake 26 and an arm 65 on the crank 60 engages behind theend of a bell crank armature 66 which oscillates about a pivot 67. Thisarmature 66 is attracted by an electro magnet 68 when this latter isenergized. The armature 66 is then moved in the direction of the arrow69 (FIG. 18), and clears the end of the arm 65. The crank 60 which washeld against the action of the spring 62, is suddenly freed and pivotsin the direction of the arrow 63 under the action of the spring andimmobilizes the weft yarn 25 as shown in FIG. 18.

As soon as the electro magnet 68 ceases to be energized and the rod 64holds crank 60 in the position shown in FIG. 19 a spring 70 moves thearmature 66 which returns to contact a stationary stop 71 (FIG. 16).

Such a brake is susceptible of responding substantially instantaneouslyfrom the set position shown in FIG. 16 while the shuttle 2 draws theweft 25 from the supply reel 24. As the shuttle 2 passes the detector 23the impulse which is setup causes the energization of the electro magnet68 which attracts the armature 66 to instantaneously free the arm 65 toapply the brake 26.

The electric circuit is as follows:

As shown in FIG. the central portion of the lay 1 carries the detector23. This latter is formed as a coil on a bobbin preferably formed with amagnetic core in order to increase the sensitivity of the apparatus. AnA.C. current from the mains 72 is fed to the primary winding of atransformer 73 the secondary winding of which is connected in serieswith the detector coil 23. This circuit is made up of two branches 74and 75. The branch 74 contains a rectifier 76 preferably consisting of asilica diode, a first resistance 77, a second resistance 78 and a thirdresistance 79. Condensers 80, 81 and 82 are connected across thebranches 74 and 75, respectively, in advance of the resistance 77,between this latter and the resistance 78 and after this latter. Thecircuit constitutes a filter RC acting as a half wave rectifier toensure the energization of the detector 23 by a unidirectional currentas continuous as possible. The condenser 82 remains charged while aconstant current i circulates in the resistance 79 and the coil of thedetector 23.

When one of the metal plates 15 or 16 of the inserter 2 passes thedetector 23, the reluctance of the magnetic circuit is modified andresults in an instantaneous variation of the current. A transientvoltage appears across the terminals of the resistance 79 and thevoltage variation is implified by a continuous current amplifier 83which transmits an output sequel employed to operate a silica thyration84. The collector and the base of this latter feed into a chargingcircuit 85 consisting of a transformer 86, a resistance 87 and arectifier 88, preferably a silica diode. The primary of the transformer86 is arranged across the two branches of the circuit to dischargeperiodically into a charging circuit when the thyration 84 isconducting.

The circuit of the units 85 is completed by a reversing switch 90operated by a rotary cam 91 mounted on a half speed spindle of the loom,and controls the four coils of the electro magnets operating the brakes26, 29

and the cutters 21, 22. For clarity the same references 26, 29 and 21,22 are applied to the coils of the electro magnets and to the partsthemselves as shown in FIG. 20.

The coils of the brake 29 and the cutter 21 are arranged in series andthe condenser 89 discharges itself after the cam 91 has moved thereversing switch onto a terminal 92 and when the thyration 84 has becomeconducting. Similarly the coils of the brake 26 and the cutter 22 arearranged in series and receive the discharge from the condenser 89 whenthe moving arm of the reversing switch 90 is on the other terminal 93and the thyration has become conducting. The reversing switch 90 makescontact alternately with the terminals 92 and 93 as the shuttle 2travels in one direction or the other through the shed.

Thus it will be understood that at each impulse generated in thedetector 23 one of the two groups 21 and 29 or 22 and 26 receives thedischarge of the condenser 89 which causes instantaneously theapplication of the appropriate brake and the operation of thecorresponding cutter.

It must be understood that the same result by replacing the silicathyration 84 by a gas thyration or a transistor of sufficient power toprovide a correct release of the brakes and cutters.

Similarly it is clear that the operation of the required controls forthe picking of the loom may be obtained either by two plates 15 and 16on the shuttle 2 and a single detector 23 on the lay 1' (as shown in thedrawings) or by a single metallic plate on the shuttle 2 and twodetector coils spaced apart on the lay 1'. The distance apart of thecoils may be adjustable, as well as that of the plates 15 and 16 asalready described. This allows for the independent control of the twoselvedges of the cloth 20. Further a detector formed with a singlenonmagnetic coil on the lay 1' may be employed, the shuttle 2 then beingprovided with one or two permanent magnets instead of the plates 15, 16.

Finally a single metal plate may be provided on the shuttle 2 and asingle detector coil in the centre of the lay in which case it issufficient to introduce by electronic means a time delay in the circuitof the amplifier 83 to release the brake and the cutter with thenecessary switching according to the direction in which the inserter isbeing picked.

The foregoing description is only given by way of example and does notlimit the scope of the invention by replacement of the detail partsdescribed by other equivalents. In particular the invention is notavoided by making the shuttle 2 more or less heavy according to the typeof loom or the nature of the weft and the width of the loom. Further thebrakes 26 and 29 may be of any type with or without previous tensioningso long as the principle of application is carried out in conjunctionwith an electro magnetic release. In certain cases it may be anadvantage to provide means for braking the weft close to each selvedge.

These means may be effected by the displacement of yarn parallel to thewarp yarns and the closure of which takes place in advance of that ofthe shed.

The cutters 21 and 22 may be arranged outside the shed at each edge ofthe cloth 20 in which case the ends of the weft are not turned inwardlyto form the selvedge.

Finally the detection of the passage of the shuttle 2 may be carried outby any known electric or electronic means. In particular a system ofelectronic eyes may be employed such as a lamp and a photo electric cell101 (FIG. 21) mounted on the lay in place of the detector 23 so that theluminous beam 102 is interrupted by each passage of the shuttle 2.

What we claim is:

1. A weft control apparatus for looms in which weft threads extend fromthe fell at each selvage edge of the warp to supply reels at each sideof the loom frame and a gripping shuttle passing from side to sidethrough the shed on a race on the lay; the improvement comprising aprojecting lip at each end of said shuttle for engaging the weft betweensaid fell and said supply and pulling the same through the shed,detecting means mounted on the lay for detecting the passage of saidshuttle and providing a corresponding electrical impulse, circuit meansincluding said detector means for amplifying said impulse, cutting meansand braking means for the weft mounted at each side of said loom, saidcutting means and said braking means being actuatable by said amplifiedimpulse, said cutting means being positioned vertically through the warpyarns in close proximity to each selvedge and operable to cut the weftadjacent the selvage during the passage of said shuttle through theshed, said braking means being operable at the time of cutting to gripthe weft to prevent further drawing from the reel and to allow the loopformed by the trailing end of the cut weft to be drawn through the shed,and means for applying tension to the inserted weft during the beat upof the lay.

2. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein thedetecting means for detecting the passage of said shuttle comprises aferro-magnetic plate mounted on said shuttle and a detector coil mountedat the center of said lay and wherein said circuit means includes anamplifier electrically connected in circuit with said detecting meansfor amplifying the impulse from said coil, a thyratron and a reversingswitch; said cutting means and said braking means each including anelectro-rnagnet having a coil in said circuit, said cutting means andsaid braking means at one side of said loom being energizablesimultaneously during movement of said shuttle in one direction and thecutting means and the braking means at the other side of said loom beingactuatable simultaneously during movement of said shuttle in theopposite direction.

3. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein thedetecting means for detecting the passage of said shuttle comprises aluminous source to create a beam of light and a photo-electrical cellmounted at the center of said lay, the luminous beam being broken ateach passage of said shuttle to generate an electrical impulse which istransmitted to the amplifying circuit means which includes a thyratronand a reversing switch; said cutting means and said braking means eachincluding electro magnets having coils in said circuit means, saidcutting means and said braking means at one side of said loom beingactuatable simultaneously upon passage of said shuttle in one directionand said cutting means and said braking means at the other side of saidlOOrn being actuatable simultaneously upon passage of said shuttle inthe opposite direction.

4. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said twolips on said shuttle are formed at opposite ends of a metal member, weftguide means disposed under each weft with the lateral edges of said lipsbeing flush with the side of a groove extending longitudinally of saidshuttle.

5. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cuttingmeans comprises a metal plate arranged vertically, a movable support onwhich the metal plate is mounted, a stationary support upon which saidmovable support is pivoted, a spring resiliently biasing said plate intoa position where the lower part thereof passes between the warp yarnswhereby said plate receives an impact from the lay at each beat up topivot the plate from between the warp yarns, a further spring, lay meansslidably mounted on said plate and controlled by said further spring,guide notch means in said plate for receiving said weft yarn duringmovement of said shuttle, electromagnetic means carried by said plateand energised by said circuit means for controlling the movements ofsaid further spring and said blade to out said weft while disposed insaid notch means.

6. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each brakingmeans comprises a stationary shoe of arcuate shape, a flexible metallicband passing over the shoe, means for pivotally mounting one end of saidband on said shoe, a crank pin pivotally mounted on said shoe andsecured to the other end of said band, torsion spring means foractuating said crank pin in the direction to clamp the weft yarn betweensaid shoe and said band, an arm integral with said crank pin, a mobilearmature normally engaged by said arm to separate said band from saidshoe and electro-magnetic means actuated by said detector-amplifiersystem for moving said mobile armature out of engagement with said armto allow said spring means to move said band into clamping position onsaid shoe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,567,751 9/1951 Wolke 139-3412,604,124 7/1952 Budzyna et al 139l27 2,806,487 9/1957 Zapf 1393022,809,672 10/1957 Purdy 139-341 3,386,477 6/1968 Durand 139--1223,124,166 3/1964 Pfarrwaller 139-126 HENRY S. JAUDON, Primary ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R.

